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Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Used as Therapy for Migraine

Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Migraine in Patients Refractory to Pharmacologic Medication

Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain
Volume 46 Page 788  - May 2006
doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00454.x
Volume 46 Issue 5


Research Submission
Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Migraine in Patients Refractory to Pharmacologic Medication
Sirichai Chayasirisobhon, MD, FAAN

Objective.—To evaluate the potential benefit of a pine bark extract and antioxidant vitamin combination product in the treatment of migraine headache.

Background.—This was an uncontrolled preliminary study to investigate the potential of an antioxidant formulation as therapy for migraine headache.

Methods.—Twelve patients with a long-term history of migraine with and without aura who had failed to respond to multiple treatments with -blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists were selected for the study. They were treated with 10 capsules of an antioxidant formulation of 120 mg pine bark extract, 60 mg vitamin C, and 30 IU vitamin E in each capsule daily for 3 months. Following enrollment patients completed a migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire to give a baseline measure of migraine impact on work, school, domestic, and social activities over the previous 3 months. Patients were then treated for 3 months with the antioxidant formulation while continuing to receive existing pharmacologic medications. A second MIDAS was given at the conclusion of the treatment period.

Results.—There was a significant mean improvement in MIDAS score of 50.6% for the 3-month treatment period compared with the 3 months prior to baseline (P< .005). The treatment was also associated with significant reductions in number of headache days and headache severity score. Mean number of headache days was reduced from 44.4 days at baseline (95% CI 28.9 to 59.8) to 26.0 days (95% CI 5.3 to 46.7; P< .005) after 3 months' therapy and mean headache severity was reduced from 7.5 of 10 (95% CI 6.7 to 8.4) to 5.5 (95% CI 4.1 to 7.0; P< .005).

Conclusion.—These data suggest that the antioxidant therapy used in this study may be beneficial in the treatment of migraine possibly reducing headache frequency and severity. Further clinical investigation into the efficacy of antioxidant as therapy for chronic migraine is warranted.

(Headache 2006;46:788-793)

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Authors:
Sirichai Chayasirisobhon

Key words:
migraine
antioxidant
pine bark extract
MIDAS


Accepted for publication September 13, 2005.

Correspondence
Address all correspondence to Dr. Sirichai Chayasirisobhon, Department of Neurology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 411 Lakeview Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92807.

>From the Department of Neurology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Anaheim, CA.
To cite this article
Chayasirisobhon, Sirichai (2006)
Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Migraine in Patients Refractory to Pharmacologic Medication.
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 46 (5), 788-793.
doi: 10.1111/
j.1526-4610.2006.00454.x